Assault, ABH & GBH Defence
If you or someone you know is under investigation or being prosecuted for common assault, battery, actual bodily harm (ABH), or grievous bodily harm (GBH), our assault solicitors at Bell Lamb & Joynson can help. Our criminal defence team are here to provide trusted legal advice 24/7 whenever you need our assistance.
Have You Been Accused of Assault, ABH or GBH?
If you’ve been accused of assault, ABH, or GBH, the consequences of conviction can affect the rest of your life. You may receive penalties, such as fines, a prison sentence, community service, and a criminal record. Our experienced team of assault solicitors can help with all offences, even the most serious Section 18 GBH, which can result in life imprisonment.
Common assault, battery, ABH, and GBH are commonly grouped as 'offences against the person'. ABH and GBH are directly covered by the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, while common assault and battery fall under Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
Offences against the person are often not open-and-shut cases. There are many ways you can challenge the evidence and even get the case dropped altogether. We aim to get the investigation or charges dropped, secure a not guilty verdict at court, and obtain a reduced sentence or less serious penalty on your behalf.
Your Trusted Criminal Defence Team
- Our criminal assault solicitors are in the top 10 firms nationally
- One of the top criminal law teams in the country
- Award-winning services
- 200+ years of experience
- FREE police station representation
- Assistance during criminal investigations and in court
- Assault solicitors available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Many clients taken on a Legal Aid basis
How Our Assault Solicitors Can Help
Our expert assault solicitors are here to defend your case, wherever you are in the country.
Common assault occurs when a person intentionally causes another person to fear immediate, unlawful violence. It doesn’t require physical contact (for example, shouting threats), but when it does, it’s classified as battery. Both common assault and battery are handled by the Magistrates Court, where conviction can result in up to 6 months in prison, a community order, or a large fine. Our specialist assault lawyers will be there to defend you and argue against these charges.
Actual bodily harm (ABH) involves intentional or reckless assault against someone else that causes bodily harm more serious than battery, but less serious than grievous bodily harm (GBH). It doesn’t matter if the person intended the level of harm they caused, only that they intended to use unlawful force (for example, pushing someone so they stumble over, but they end up breaking their nose, which may be considered ABH).
A conviction for ABH can result in up to 5 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine if prosecuted by the Crown Court. Your trusted assault lawyer will create the best possible defence strategy to defend your case if you’re accused of ABH.
There are two types of grievous bodily harm (GBH) – Section 20 and Section 18. Section 20 is the less serious type, and applies where a person injures or wounds someone else too severely to be considered ABH (for example, cuts and bruises may be ABH, but stab wounds are GBH).
To be convicted for Section 20 GBH, the prosecution needs to prove that they intentionally or recklessly caused some harm to the victim. The maximum penalty for Section 20 GBH is 5 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine if prosecuted by the Crown Court. Our assault lawyers offer representation from police custody through to court proceedings to reduce potential charges or GBH sentences.
Section 18 GBH is the most serious type of non-lethal assault, where a person can be convicted for intentionally causing really serious bodily harm to a victim. This may include causing injury that results in broken bones, substantial blood loss, or long-term disabilities. If someone dies from their injuries, the charges may increase to murder.
Section 18 GBH is only handled by the Crown Court, and the maximum sentence is life imprisonment. It’s important to seek legal advice from our highly experienced assault solicitors to put together the strongest defence strategy for such cases.
Penalties for racially or religiously aggravated assault often attract higher prison sentences. The maximum sentence for racially or religiously aggravated ABH is 7 years in prison, rather than the standard 5-year sentence. Our assault lawyers can advise and guide clients facing these charges, offering tailored support if you’ve been accused.
Contact Our Assault Solicitors Today
If either you or someone you know requires expert criminal law defence at the police station, during investigation, or at the court, our assault lawyers can help. We have a dedicated team of assault, ABH, and GBH solicitors ready to assist clients across the country. We offer trusted support, guidance, and advice when you need it most.
Contact us today on 03444 124348, or for urgent matters out of hours, call 0808 196 1790.
Assault, ABH & GBH FAQs
What should I do at the police station?
It’s your legal right to have representation at the police station. We advise that you do not answer any police questions until we are by your side to help you. Tell the police you want to talk to your solicitor at Bell Lamb & Joynson. This includes if you have been invited for a voluntary interview under caution. Remember, these interviews are not casual chats, and anything you say during a police interview could be used to charge you or as evidence in court.
Do I need a solicitor for common assault?
You do not legally need a solicitor for common assault, but it's strongly recommended. Assault solicitors protect your rights, offer reliable advice, and help avoid charges or any lasting consequences. If you require an assault lawyer, we can help.
What is ABH vs GBH?
What is the difference between ABH and GBH? Actual bodily harm (ABH) involves injury worse than battery, such as bruising, cuts, and even shock that may go on to affect someone's mental health, and grievous bodily harm (GBH) involves serious injury, such as broken bones, stab wounds, and internal damage.
What is the most common punishment for assault?
In the UK, fines and community orders are the most common punishments for assault, especially for first-time or less serious cases. Common assault can, but rarely, lead to imprisonment unless harm or intent to harm is high.
What are the three types of assault?
The law in the UK recognises three main types of assault offences, including common assault (fear of violence), actual bodily harm (ABH, meaning an injury more serious than battery but less than GBH), and grievous bodily harm (GBH, meaning serious injury with or without intent).